Annual Ending Hunger Results Luncheon

Annual Ending Hunger Results Luncheon

Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown
5 Park Street | Freeport
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Doors will open at 11:15 am

Please join us for a special ceremony and lunch at the Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown to celebrate our collective 2025 fundraising success for Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. The Campaign’s 2025 fundraising results will be announced, and top credit union contributors will be recognized.

This year’s special event will feature a keynote from Heather Paquette, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank. Good Shepherd Food Bank provides critical nutrition to more than 600 partners statewide, serving as Maine’s only Feeding America Food Bank. Paquette will provide timely insight into the sharp surge in need at food pantries across Maine, with a first-hand view of how federal funding cuts and other economic or systemic obstacles have contributed to the rise in food insecurity. Additionally, Maine Day Meal Pack-Out Student Coordinator Ruth Griffith, a senior at the University of Maine deeply dedicated to ending hunger, will briefly share her experience leading the school’s annual Meal Pack-Out initiative that supports multiple counties and communities in Maine.

Paquette and Griffith are sure to inspire Maine’s credit unions as we embark on another year of raising both funds and awareness for the Campaign for Ending Hunger, uplifting our neighbors in need.

About Guest Speaker Heather Paquette:

Heather Paquette is guided by her unwavering leadership purpose—Always Press Forward, Always Give Back. As the President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, she leads a dedicated team of hunger-relief professionals to address the root causes of hunger by exploring innovative solutions, sourcing nutritious and culturally relevant food, and collaborating with a network of over 600 partnerships across Maine.

As a University of Southern Maine graduate with a degree in Business Finance, Paquette began her career with Hannaford Supermarkets in 1999 and held a variety of roles throughout her 22 years there. Before joining the Food Bank, she played a pivotal role at Ahold Delhaize. Beyond her professional endeavors, Paquette is deeply involved in community service. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine and co-chaired the United Way Tocqueville campaign. Paquette also served as the board chair for the Maine March of Dimes Chapter from 2017 to 2019 and as a board member for 11 years. Her contributions have earned her multiple recognitions and opportunities to lead important discussions.

Credit unions are asked to limit their registrants to three per credit union. Additional guests may be accommodated as space allows. Please contact Jen Burke at jburke@mainecul.org if your credit union would like to register more than three team members.